Improved car-coupling



O NER & HALE. Car Coupling.

No. 57,208. Patented Aug. 14. 1866.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GID. SPOONEB AND J. F. HALE, OF RUTLAND, VERMONT.

IMPROVED CAR-COUPLING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, G. D. SPOONER and J. F. F. HALE, of Rutland, Rutland county, and State of Vermont, have invented a new and Improved (Jar-Coupling; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of one of the draw-heads. Fig. 3 is a front view of'the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention consists in the arrangement of a central horizontal partition in the drawheads of a car-couplingin such a manner that the link or shackle bar can be readily adjusted for cars of different height, and'a universal self-locking car-coupling is obtained.

It consists, further, in the arrangement of a double stop, in I combination with the central partition in the draw-heads, and with the coupling-pin, in such a manner that the coupling-pin in one draw-head can be readily adjusted in the proper position to correspond to the position of the shackle-bar in the other draw-head, or to correspond to the difl'erence in the height of the cars.

It consists, finally, in providing the shacklebar with a hole just large enough to admit the coupling-pin, in addition to the slot generally used in shackle-bars, in such a manner that by the action of the shackle-bar the stop which sustains the coupling-pin is released under all circumstances, and the operation of the coupling is rendered sure and safe.

A A represent the draw-heads, which are supposed to be secured to adjoining cars.

These draw-heads are provided each with a central partition, (1, so that the shackle-bar B can be adjusted higher or lower, accordingof its draw-head and made to lock in thelower compartment of the other draw-head, or vice versa.

Each draw-head is provided with a coupling-pin, I), and with a double stop, 0. This stop is provided with two steps, so that the coupling-pin can be sustained on the upper or on the lower stop, as circumstances or the difierence in the height of the cars may require.

The shackle-bar is provided with a hole, d, in addition to the ordinary slot 0. By the hole said shackle-bar is prevented from sliding back in its draw-head, and it is sure to strike and release the stop in the opposite draw-head.

By these means a car-coupling is obtained which is absolutely sure in its operation, and which is self-locking, so that the danger of bein g caught between the draw-heads is avoided.

What 'we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The double stop 0, in combination with the horizontal partition a and coupling-pin b of a car-coupling, constructed and operating sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

G. D. SPOONER. J. F. F. HALE. 

